So as you might have noticed this is a series of photos based on huge event.
This time we have '
Turkish Oil Wrestling'. This is a popular sport that has been going on since the Ottoman Empire.
The wrestlers basically cover themselves in virgin olive oil from head to toe. It makes it really difficult to grab hold of each other as their grip would be slipping off.
However, they have a special pair of pants that are not your typical leather pants; instead they are leather trousers called '
Kispet', made of water buffalo leather weighing approximately 13 kilograms. That is one interesting fact.
It may seem all to inappropriate and you might began to think twice of letting your child watch the match as grown men dive their hands into the pants. But fear not, they are not doing anyrhing indecent; they're just getting a good grip of the 'Kispet' from the inside as it is the only part that is not oily and you can easily throw your opponent over.
It was a rather interesting sight and mesmerizing at the same time, only because the sport has so much history to it and is very much alive today.
"
To write history is as important as to make history. It is an unchanging truth that if the writer does not remain true to the maker, then it takes on a quality that will confuse humanity."
Mustafa Kemal Ataturk quotes (first President of modern day Turkey and the founder of the Republic of Turkey; May 19 1881-November 10 1938)
Snapshots: August 01'09
